Women's Soccer Tops Fresno State 6-1

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -
Freshman forward Leslie Osborne score just 37 seconds in to the Santa Clara University women's soccer team's match against Fresno State, marking the sixth-fastest goal ever scored by a Bronco, to lead the home team to a 6-1 victory over the Bulldogs in non-conference action tonight at Buck Shaw Stadium.

With the victory, Santa Clara improves to 9-1 on the season while the Bulldogs fall to 4-6.

The Broncos outshot FSU 32-5, including 10 shots by junior midfielder Aly Wagner. Santa Clara has not registered that many shots since a 35-shot outing against Alabama in 1999.

The scoring started early, when sophomore midfielder Veronica Zepeda passed the ball to her left as senior midfielder Kerry Cathcart was racing downfield. Cathcart served the ball perfectly into the goal area, with Osborne notching her fifth goal of the season, all on headers

"I know when Kerry's going to cross the ball and I just went up really strong," Osborne said. "It happened so quick, but after we scored that one, we knew we could score as many as we wanted."

Wagner struck just six minutes later, easily finishing off a low cross from Osborne. Fresno State countered with a goal in the contest's 30th minute by Reyna Green. Zepeda put the Broncos ahead 3-1 at the half with a goal assisted on by Wagner.

The Broncos continued their offensive charge in the second period as freshman forward Taline Tahmassian entered the lineup. She scored two unassisted goals less than three minutes apart midway through the period. Her second goal of the night was scored after splitting two defenders down the middle of the field.

Freshman forward Bree Horvath capped off Broncos scoring knocking in a long deflection in the 86th minute.

The Broncos made a goalkeeper substitution in the match's 78th minute, bringing in senior Ynez Carrasco. A four-year standout on the SCU volleyball team, Carrasco had never played soccer before working out with the team last spring. She did not record a save in 12 minutes of action.

"I thought at first it was going to be weird being out there," Carrasco said, "but when I got out there, I realized it was just like practice. I just thought about the game and concentrated on what I needed to do. It was cool to have the support. Everybody in the crowd and on the bench started cheering. I thought Jerry (Smith, head coach) was joking when he told me to go in."

Tonight's contest also served as a final tune up for SCU before conference season begins on Friday. The Broncos' match against San Francisco will be the first of a double-header with the men's team, who will follow the women's 5:30 contest with their own at 8 p.m. against San Diego. The women's team will then conclude the weekend at Gonzaga on Sunday. Although the Zags are winless at 0-7-1, five of the Bulldogs' losses have been by one goal.